Ruby Sparks (2012)

Ruby Sparks Synopsis

In Ruby Sparks, Calvin (Paul Dano) is a young novelist who achieved phenomenal success early in his career but is now struggling with his writing -- as well as his romantic life. Finally, he makes a breakthrough and creates a character named Ruby who inspires him. When Calvin finds Ruby (Zoe Kazan), in the flesh, sitting on his couch about a week later, he is completely flabbergasted that his words have turned into a living, breathing person.

I’ve always loved Paul Dano, but it was really difficult for me to see him as a romantic lead until I saw Ruby Sparks, a lovely and emotional little film which stars Dano as a young man who writes his dream girl into life. Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment is bringing the flick to Blu-ray tomorrow, and to celebrate, we have an exclusive Blu-ray bonus clip to share with fans.

Fox Searchlight’s poignant and sometimes funny romantic film, Ruby Sparks is coming to Blu-ray and DVD on October 30. The film, about a man who writes about a potential love interest only to have her appear, just recently left theaters, but if you missed the flick (or loved it), Fox Home Entertainment is putting together a pretty nice set for fans.

This week on Operation Kino we're in full Manic Pixie Dream Girl mode as we review the new rom-com Ruby Sparks. From there we talk about some of the reactions to The Dark Knight Rises that have gone into full-on nitpick mode, and wonder if picking apart a film's plot is really just a way to criticize something you expected to love

Up and coming ingénue Zoe Kazan has been steadily building her reputation as an actress by balancing supporting roles in big Hollywood productions like Revolutionary Road and It's Complicated with turns in riskier indie fare like Meek's Cutoff and The Exploding Girl. Now, she has made the leap to screenwriter, penning herself a starring role in the fantastical rom-com Ruby Sparks.

I am constantly amazed by the brilliant artwork I see each and every day online from artists around the world. Whether it’s on a popular social networking site or a tiny little blog, a day rarely goes by when I don’t find myself whispering to my monitor, “Damn, that’s cool.” There are millions of people out there looking for a creative outlet and a way to show off their talents, and now Fox Searchlight and the upcoming film Ruby Sparks is providing one.

With Ruby Sparks reaching theaters (in limited release) starting on July 25, Fox Searchlight is stepping up the marketing campaign on what we’re hearing is a whimsical and offbeat romance with a ton of heart and endless charms.

It looks charming and energetic and well-acted by the pretty impressive cast, and the Fox Searchlight logo at the end seems like the cherry on top-- this is selling itself as exactly the light romantic comedy that the indie studio has perfected over the years. But seriously, where's the twist?

A criticism often lobbed at male penners of romantic comedies is that the female characters they create are figures of pure fantasy that would be utterly infuriating in real life. Perhaps this is what inspired indie ingénue Zoe Kazan to write Ruby Sparks, which puts a new spin on the Manic Pixie Dream Girl. Directed by married co-helmers Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris of Little Miss Sunshine acclaim, this inventive love story stars Kazan's real-life boyfriend Paul Dano as a young novelist...